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Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line

1.1K games from Lichess · Updated January 2026

Tough Sell
Black Expected Score50.3%Range (90% confident): 47.9% – 52.8%Based on 1.1K games
0%50.3%100%
Range (90% confident): 47.9% – 52.8%
Outcome Distribution
46.5%7.6%45.9%
Win
Draw
Loss
10...b6
Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line
Analyzen=1.1K
Avg Length40 moves
Sharpness92%
Draw Rate7.6%

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line expected score for Black?

Snapshot

At all ratings, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line has a 50.3% expected score for Black (we're 90% confident it's between 47.9% and 52.8%), based on 1.1K Lichess games.

Extra Analysis

Deep-dive datasets for this opening

Time-Control Swing

Max swing: 8.0% · Bullet best · Blitz worst

Black Win% by Rating

Declines with rating: 60% → 36%

1400
1600
1800
2000
2200
2500+

  • 1400-1599: 60.0% win rate (6 games)
  • 1600-1799: 59.3% win rate (28 games)
  • 1800-1999: 43.7% win rate (121 games)
  • 2000-2199: 51.4% win rate (363 games)
  • 2200-2499: 45.3% win rate (476 games)
  • 2500+: 36.0% win rate (136 games)

Black Win% by Time Control

Best in Rapid (48%), worst in Classical (28%)

Bullet
Blitz
Rapid
Classical

  • Bullet: 43.2% win rate (229 games)
  • Blitz: 47.5% win rate (799 games)
  • Rapid: 48.1% win rate (91 games)
  • Classical: 28.0% win rate (11 games)

Black% by Rating × Time Control

Click any cell to filter. Green = above 50%, Red = below 50%.

RatingUBBulleBlitzRapidClass
0-999—————
1000-1199—————
1200-1399—————
1400-1599———
1600-1799——
1800-1999—
2000-2199—
2200-2499—
2500+—

Expected score matrix by rating bracket and time control

  • 1400-1599 rating, Blitz: 57.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 1400-1599 rating, Rapid: 70.0% expected score (1 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Bullet: 42.6% expected score (12 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Blitz: 72.6% expected score (14 games)
  • 1600-1799 rating, Rapid: 78.6% expected score (2 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Bullet: 36.8% expected score (25 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Blitz: 43.7% expected score (85 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Rapid: 76.3% expected score (8 games)
  • 1800-1999 rating, Classical: 61.2% expected score (3 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Bullet: 50.9% expected score (54 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Blitz: 57.3% expected score (268 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Rapid: 46.0% expected score (36 games)
  • 2000-2199 rating, Classical: 34.7% expected score (5 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Bullet: 48.9% expected score (85 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Blitz: 49.9% expected score (348 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Rapid: 54.7% expected score (41 games)
  • 2200-2499 rating, Classical: 35.7% expected score (2 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Bullet: 39.0% expected score (53 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Blitz: 42.5% expected score (79 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Rapid: 38.9% expected score (3 games)
  • 2500+ rating, Classical: 50.0% expected score (1 games)

Related Openings

Parent
Sicilian Defense
48.5%
Variations (5)
Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack
47.2%
Sicilian Defense: Old Sicilian
48.5%
Sicilian Defense: Closed
49.8%
Sicilian Defense: Alapin Variation
50.2%
Sicilian Defense: McDonnell Attack
48.6%
Analyze Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line PositionsGet move-by-move win rates with the TrueElo analyzer

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line win rate?

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line has a 45.9% (90% CI: 43.5%-48.4%) win rate for white, based on 1.1K rated games from Lichess.

At what rating does the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line perform best?

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line performs best at 2500+ Elo with a 54.2% win rate for white (136 games). Win rate tends to decline at higher ratings as opponents know the theory better.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line better in blitz or rapid?

Bullet (52.7%) outperforms Rapid (39.5%) by 13.2%. Choose your time control wisely.

How sharp is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line?

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line has a sharpness score of 92.4 (decisive), meaning 92.4% of games end decisively. Average game length is 40 moves.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line win rate at 1800-1999 Elo?

At 1800-1999 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line has a 53.5% (90% CI: 46.1%-60.8%) win rate for white, based on 121 Lichess games. Average game length is 36 moves with a 2.9% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line win rate at 2000-2199 Elo?

At 2000-2199 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line has a 41.8% (90% CI: 37.6%-46.1%) win rate for white, based on 363 Lichess games. Average game length is 37 moves with a 6.7% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line win rate at 2200-2499 Elo?

At 2200-2499 Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line has a 45.3% (90% CI: 41.6%-49.1%) win rate for white, based on 476 Lichess games. Average game length is 42 moves with a 9.3% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line win rate at 2500+ Elo?

At 2500+ Elo, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line has a 54.2% (90% CI: 47.2%-61.1%) win rate for white, based on 136 Lichess games. Average game length is 49 moves with a 9.8% draw rate.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line win rate in Bullet?

In Bullet games, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line has a 52.7% (90% CI: 47.3%-58.1%) win rate for white (229 Lichess games). Draw rate is 4.1%.

What is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line win rate in Blitz?

In Blitz games, the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line has a 44.7% (90% CI: 41.8%-47.6%) win rate for white (799 Lichess games). Draw rate is 7.8%.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line a good opening?

The Sicilian Defense: Taimanov Variation, Modern Line is slightly favors black with a 45.9% (90% CI: 43.5%-48.4%) win rate across all ratings. It performs best at 2500+ Elo. Your results depend on your rating, time control, and how well you know the typical plans.